SILVER SPONSORNew Boundary Technologies, formerly Lanovation,
released version 5.0 of Prism Deploy, its new application and configuration
distribution tool for Windows-based computers. The program includes three
tools: a package creator, a deployment console, and a shared-file conflict
checker. Through a drag and drop process, the network administrator can
create a distribution file in the proprietary PWC or Microsoft Installer
MSI format or as an EXE file. An "Active Update" feature targets
a specific group of computers, based on their hardware, software and network
configurations. The administrator defines the criteria for group members;
then computers matching the configuration add themselves to the group
and receive the software or update. It integrates with Active Directory
to identify where the machine is based. The program includes a scripting
language for customization in complex environments. It’s priced
at $3,500 for 100 seats, which includes product updates and support for
a year. This week the company also announced Prism Pack 5.0, a new version
of its packaging utility, which can replace the SMS Installer. http://www.newboundary.com/

CommVault Systems, developer of virus protection and
recovery tools, released an enhanced version of its QiNetix 4.2 suite,
with built in support for backup and recovery of Windows Server 2003 and
Exchange 2003, and the addition of GridStor technology, which allows for
D2D2T movement, load balancing, failover, pooling and provisioning of
storage resources. http://www.commvault.com/

InstallShield Software released AdminStudio 5, an enterprise
software package management suite that ties many of InstallShield's repackaging
tools into a central server. AdminStudio includes the company's QualityMonitor,
which verifies and tests Windows Installer (MSI) installations. http://www.installshield.com/

IT Skills Loan, a financial program from Servus Financial,
is offering loans from $3,500 to $20,000 to cover Microsoft-related IT
training. The money can be applied to equipment, classes, living expense,
books, exam fees and other preparation material. The rate is up to 10.47
percent APR. Current clients, according to the company, include IT professionals,
career changes and students seeking post-high school training. The program
has been around for several years, and first surfaced as part of Microsoft’s
IT Skills Training initiative. http://www.itloan.com/

ON Technology showed ON iCommand, a unified Web-enabled
solution for managing a broad range of devices over any type of network
including wired and wireless LANs, WANs, mobile cellular, and dial-up
and broadband Internet connections. http://www.ontechnology.org/

In anticipation of Windows Server 2003, OnDemand Software released
a free version of its WinINSTALL LE, a software distribution and packager
that works with Microsoft's newest network OS. http://www.ondemandsoftware.com/

Rainfinity showcased a slew of enterprise-grade products:
RainStorage, a network-attached storage appliance; RainConnect, an always-on
Internet connectivity solution; and RainWall, a high-availability service
that can be integrated with many popular firewall appliances and applications.
It also demonstrated its newest application, RainWall High Availability
Platform, a secure, scalable Internet gateway solution. http://www.rainfinity.com/

Raxco Software was at the show demonstrating its PerfectDisk
5.0 enterprise disk defragmentation for Windows 2000 and Windows XP. While
the software hasn't been updated in some time, it's still an effective
alternative to the vanilla-flavored Disk Defragmenter that comes with
your OS. http://www.raxco.com/

Sapien Technologies showed PrimalScript 2.2, a scripting
tool that has been enhanced with syntax and client- and server-side coloring,
source code integration with many popular version control tools and Windows
Script Host 5.6 support. It also demonstrated its .NET IDE, PrimalCode
3.0. http://www.sapien.com/

Self Test Software, which is owned by test preparation
firm Kaplan, talked up KapCert, a bundle of products and services that
provides an instructor-led exam review for individuals doing self-study
who want direction in final preparations for a specific exam. For $249,
the candidate receives Self Test’s FastCert Study Pack, which includes
a study guide, a custom library of technical content, a test-taking strategies
guide, a practice test, access to an online mentor, and flash cards. Along
with that he or she also sits through a four-hour class for reviewing
the key information needed to pass a particular exam. Currently, the company
hosts MCSE and CCNA reviews, but it expects to expand into other areas,
which may include Oracle, Novell, CompTIA and others. http://www.selftestsoftware.com/
or http://www.KaplanIT.com/

Surf Control demonstrated its filtering software for
auditing and limiting corporate Internet access and e-mail. The company
will release an Exchange 2000 plug-in shortly, which will filter both
internal and external mail to monitor for and eliminate spam. http://www.surfcontrol.com/

Tally Systems showed TS.Census, which provides IT asset
inventory and tracking for Windows and Unix-based networks. The program
works by collecting data across the enterprise (including from remote
users who dial in), then feeding it into a collection service, against
which reports and queries can be run. The company said its primary targets
for the software is to ensure software license compliance and prevent
over-purchasing of software and provide on-going support for help desks.
Tally also sells PowerCensus, an inventory system that works in the SMS
environment. It enhances what’s already built into SMS, according
to the company, by streamlining the executables that it recognizes and
no overcounting specific types of files. The product recognition knowledgebase
is updated monthly for both versions of the software. TS.Census is priced
at $17.50 per client for 1,000 PCs. http://www.tallysys.com/

Transcender Corp. demonstrated its new IT training videos,
which are CD-based. The videos integrate a “talking head”
trainer with product demonstrations. Current releases, which sell for
$129 with a single user license, include videos on XP Professional, operating
system technologies, PC hardware service for technicians, Windows 2000
network management, Windows 2000 Professional, Windows 2000 Server, VB.NET
and CCNA prep. The company said more titles would be published shortly.
http://www.transcender.com/

Tranxition Corp. updated Personality Transport Professional,
its operating system and application migration suite, with several enhancements.
Version 3.1 now allows migration of a user personality that's not logged
into target computer and administrator rights for new, created accounts.
It also includes support for Windows XP as a source and target machine
and support for Adobe Acrobat and Acrobat Reader 5.0 and Netscape 4.x
and newer. http://www.tranxition.com/

Finally, Wise Solutions showcased its line of software
packaging and deployment tools: Wise Package Studio and Wise for Visual
Studio.NET, for customizing software rollouts; and Wise for Windows Installer,
an authoring tool for Windows Installer; and Wise Installation System,
a developer tool for customizing and scripting application rollouts. http://www.wise.com/